2026 Winter Potato Conference

2026 cover wpc

The Michigan Potato Industry Commission is excited to present the 2026 Winter Potato Conference, January 27-29 at the Sheraton Grand Rapids Airport Hotel. The Winter Potato Conference is an excellent opportunity to learn and network with other industry professionals on a number of leading-edge topics. 

Click here to register. 

Need at hotel room for the conference? 

We have a block of rooms reserved. Please use this link to book your room.

If you have any problems or would like to speak to someone at the hotel to book your room, please call Brooke LeRoux at 616-942-3174.

Do you want to apply for Restricted Use Pesticide (RUP) credits?

Two (2) Restricted Use Pesticide Credits (RUP) are available. To receive RUPs, you must complete the additional form linked below. RUP credits must be submitted by the conference start date.

CLICK HERE TO APPLY FOR RUP

​2026 Winter Potato Conference Agenda

(Schedule subject to change)

Tuesday, January 27

9:00am – Exhibitor Setup Opens, Atrium

1:00pm-5:00pm – Registration Open, Michigan Room

5:00pm-6:00pm – Opening Reception, Atrium/Michigan Room

6:15pm-7:45pm – Michigan Potato Legacy Fund Comedy Show Fundraiser, Grand Centennial Ballroom

Wednesday, January 28

8:00am – Registration Open (all day), Michigan Room

8:00am – Exhibitor Setup Opens, Atrium

8:30am-9:00am – Breakfast, Grand Centennial Ballroom

9:00am-10:00am – General Session 1, Grand Centennial Ballroom

  • MPIC Annual Meeting
  • National Potato Council Update, Mike Wenkel

10:15am-10:45am – Breakout Sessions

  • Cheboygan –
  • Traverse City/Saugatuck/Harbor Springs –
  • Mackinac/Petoskey –

10:45am-11:15am – Refreshment Break & Exhibitor Visits, Atrium/Michigan

11:15am-12:00pm – Breakout Sessions

  • Cheboygan –
  • Traverse City/Saugatuck/Harbor Springs –
  • Mackinac/Petoskey –

12:15pm-12:55pm – Awards Luncheon, Grand Centennial Ballroom

12:55pm-3:00pm – General Session 2, Grand Centennial Ballroom

  • Awards Presentation
  • Economic Outlook, Dr. Paul Isely
  • Potatoes USA Update, Kim Breshears

3:00pm-3:30pm – Refreshment Break & Exhibitor Visits, Atrium/Michigan Room

3:30pm-4:00pm – Breakout Sessions

  • Cheboygan –
  • Traverse City/Saugatuck/Harbor Springs –
  • Mackinac/Petoskey –

4:00pm-6:30pm – Industry Reception, Atrium/Michigan Room

Thursday, January 29

8:30am-9:00am – Breakfast, Grand Centennial Ballroom

8:50am-10:30am – General Session 3, Grand Centennial Ballroom

  • PGMI Annual Meeting
  • Michigan Potato Legacy Fund
  • Baldly Bipartisan

10:45am-11:30am – Breakout Sessions

  • Cheboygan –
  • Traverse City/Saugatuck/Harbor Springs –
  • Mackinac/Petoskey –

11:30am-12:00pm – Refreshment Break & Exhibitor Visits, Atrium/Michigan Room

12:00pm-12:45pm – Breakout Sessions

  • Cheboygan –
  • Traverse City/Saugatuck/Harbor Springs –
  • Mackinac/Petoskey –

12:45pm-1:15pm – Luncheon, Grand Centennial Ballroom

1:15pm-3:00pm – General Session 4, Grand Centennial Ballroom

  • Farm Bureau Insurance, Tom Piepkow
  • Potato Ty

*NOTE on RUP credits: There are two (2) RUP credits available for this conference. Attendees must attend all three breakout sessions in Mackinac/Petoskey room on Wednesday to receive the credits. Pre-registration for the credits is required. Click here.

^Note on CCA credit: There are five (5.0) Certified Crop Advisor (CCA) credits available for this conference. Each of the 10 breakout sessions marked are worth 0.5 credits apiece.